﻿<title>Paddling Forward</title>

<h1>Paddling Forward</h1>

<div id="1">Making the kayak go forward is easy, but with proper technique you can paddle faster and more efficiently and with less strain on your joints. Here are the primary elements of a good forward stroke. But keep in mind that the ideal paddling style depends also on your physical condition and the style of your paddle. Be sure you are <a="sub2.topic1">holding your paddle correctly</a> before proceeding.</div>

<div id="2"><b>Good posture is key</b> if you are to use your body efficiently. <b>Sit straight, relax your shoulders, and open your chest</b> for ease and efficiency of breathing. <b>Don't lean against the backrest</b>.</div>

<div id="3"><b>Keep your legs together with feet against the footpegs</b>. Adjust the footpegs so that your knees are bent slightly and you are able spread and press them against the inner gunwales for extra balance. Keeping your legs together allows better torso rotation and makes paddling more efficient.<br/><br/>Be sure that you have proper footpegs you can push against.</div>

<div id="4"><b>Keep in mind that your torso and legs will do most most of the work. Your shoulders and arms are only there to transmit power</b>. To learn the principle, try paddling by rotating your torso and keep your arms absolutely straight.<br/><br/>When you place the blade in the water, imagine your are pulling yourself up to and past the paddle.</div>

<div id="5">At the start of your stroke, <b>coil your torso</b> so that you place the blade in the water up by your feet and <b>close to the kayak's waterline</b>. Keep your lower arm almost straight. Relax your upper arm with a slight bend so that your upper wrist comes close your chin.<br/><br/><b>Press your stroke-side foot firmly against the footpeg</b>. Sink the blade into the water with a <b>spearing motion</b>.</div>

<div id="6"><b>Begin the stroke by uncoiling your torso</b> and keeping the lower arm near straight. Press the stroke-side foot against the footpeg to support the stroke. Try to generate more power at the beginning of the stroke, less at the end. That way you create power with the strong muscles of your torso, and right when your paddle is in the water at its most favourable angle.<br/><br/>Keep your upper arm relaxed and hold the paddle loosely, so your muscles can rest. Keep your <b>upper hand at about eye level, and allow your upper hand to move across your body</b>, to keep the paddle vertical.<br/><br/>Complete the stroke when your lower hand is about level with your your belly; continuing lower or further would slow the kayak with paddle drag. </div>

<div id="7">Move the blade <b>out</b> of the water to <b>back and away</b> from the kayak. Lift the blade out of the water by<b> leading with the elbow.</b> and allowing the wrist to follow. Take care not to lift your elbow above shoulder level, and let your upper arm follow the rotation of your torso. </div>

<div id="8">After you lift the blade from the water, prepare for the next stroke.<b>Keep coiling your upper torso </b> so that you can start the next stroke as far forward as possible.</div>

<div id="9">Try to maintain a continuos flow, and remember that paddling forward is not the same as paddling in a straight line -- so feel free to check the following tutorials also.<br/><br/><b>COMMON MISTAKES:</b><br />» poor posture <br/><br/>» insufficient torso rotation<br/><br/>» ending the stroke too late and too far behind the hip.<br/><br/>» pushing the upper hand too forward, creating a less effective blade angle <br/><br/>» rocking the kayak from side to side with abrupt weight shifts <br/><br/>» straining the wrists by allowing them to bend</div>